Detachable leg structure for furniture



May 8, 1951 F. B. KOMPASS DETACI-IIABLE LEG STRUCTURE FOR FURNITURE Filed Nov. 21, 1945 o mm 2 V IO m 5 z K 2 w. 2 e a A TTORNE Y5.

Patented May 8, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DETACHABLE LEG STRUCTURE FOR FURNITURE 11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in detachable leg structures for furniture, and particularly to a detachable tubular metal leg structure.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a novel, detachable mounting for tubular metal furniture legs which will accommodate shipment of the furniture in knock-down or disassembled condition and which can be assembled easily and quickly.

A further object is to provide a construction of this character which permits the application of a leg to a continuous frame structure and which obviates the need for providing interruptions in a frame structure to receive the leg.

-A further object is to provide a leg construction of this character which is provided with multiple elongated substantially vertical spaced leg positioning portions and with a weight-supporting abutment on the leg.

A further object is to provide a construction of this character using a tubular member leg which imparts a novel decorative appearance.

Other objects will be apparent from the description and appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table in which view of the table leg.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view similar to Fig. 2 and illustrating a modification of the invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view similar to Fig. 2 and illustrating another modification of the invention.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional View similar to Fig. 2 and illustrating an all-metal construction.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral I designates the top of a table which is mounted on a suitable frame comprising end rails l2 and side rails l4. As best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, the rails I2 and I4 extend into abutting relation at their end portions and may be interconnected by a vertical tongue and groove joint IE to provide a solid, rigid, continuous frame. A vertical corner block or cleat I8 is preferably secured to the frame rails at the inner surfaces thereof at the corner to reinforce the frame. Other reinforcing or bracing elements (not shown) may be secured to the frame if desired.

This structure constitutes a preassembled unit for shipping purposes.

The legs 21: which support the top frame unit constitute metal tubes, and may be of any desired cross sectional shape, such as the cylindrical shape shown. The upper end of the tube is shaped substantially as shown in Fig. 3. The walls of the tube are cut longitudinally from the upper end thereof to provide straight vertical edges 22. A transverse out between the edges 22 spaced from the upper end of the tube substantially equal to the depth of the frame members l2l4 provides an arcuate horizontal downwardly off-set end edge portion 24. The arcuate upper edge portion 26 of the tube is preferably of greater extent than the off-set edge 24. In other words, in a cylindrical tube, the edge portion 26 is somewhat more than degrees in extent and the edge portion 24 is less than 180 degrees in extent. The upwardly projecting portion of the leg has one or more apertures 28, preferably countersunk, formed therein substantially equi-spaced between the edges 22 and substantially centrally between the planes of the edges 24 and 26.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, which illustrate one construction wherein the legs are secured exteriorly of the frame, a pair of vertical kerfs or grooves 30 are formed in the outer faces of the frame rails in equi-spaced relation to the corner of the frame. Each kerf extends at an angle of substantially 45 degrees to the face of the rail. These kerfs 3d are of a depth to receive portions of the leg 20 adjacent to the vertical edges 22 thereof and to permit the inner surface of the leg centrally between the edges 22 to bear against the corner of the frame.

,The width of the kerfs 3B is just sufficient to receive said longitudinal leg edge portions snugly, i. e., of slightly greater width than the thickness of the leg stock to accommodate the transverse curvature of the leg edge portions received therein. In assembly, the vertical leg edge portions are inserted in the kerfs 30 and the leg is adjusted until the corner of the frame extends in edge abutment with the inner face of the leg and the bottom edges of the frame rails l2l4 bear against the off-set abutment edge 24. The parts may be secured solidly in this arrangement by the use of a single securing screw 32 passing through aperture 28 and threaded into the frame. If desired, a plurality of screws may be employed, but only one screw is essential.

It will be observed that the leg structure or mounting is very solid and sturdy. The weight of the top frame is applied directly to the leg at edge 24, and hence the securing member 32 is not required to sustain any vertically applied stresses. Furthermore, if the edges 22 are of proper length for the purpose, the bottom face of the top 19 may bear directly upon the edge portion 26 of the leg to provide a second support for vertical stresses. The three-point linear engagement of the leg with the frame, 1. e., the snug fit of the longitudinal edge portions in the kerfs 3d and the linear abutment of the leg with the frame corner between the edges 22, holds the leg firmly against lateral displacement. In this connection,

it will be noted that the screw EZ eXtemis' transversely of these linear abutments and intermediate the length thereof, whereby thelinearabutments are maintained firmly. Another feature of the construction is the: manner. inwhich the leg cooperates with the frame to merge therewith attractively and without providing openings or recesses in which dirt can collect.

The construction can also be utilized to provide an inset mounting of the leg relative to the table frame, as illustrated in Fig. 4. In this construction the kerfs' 36' are formed inthe inner faces of the frame rails and the longitudinal central portion of the leg between the edges 22 bears against the block [8. This necessitates the provision of a block is of substantially rectangular cross section as shown. Also, the angular extent of the edge portions 24 and 2% may be slightly altered from that shown in Fig. 3, so that the upper edge 26 may be slightly less than 186 degrees and-the edge 24 slightly more than 180 degrees. It will be understood, however, that therelative angular extents or dimensions of the edges 24 and 26 may vary in a substantial range and will be determined by the position which the leg is to assume with respect to the frame. The same condition also governs the angular extents of the edges 24and- 26 of the leg when mounted exteriorly of the frame as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In certain types and designs of cabinet const-ruction, such as the construction of small tables, stands, coffee tables, book and magazine racks and the like, it issometimes desired to i mountsupporting legs-or standards in spaced relation to the corners thereof:- The instantconstruction is readily adapted for such constructions or designs as shown in Fig.5. A frame member 40 to which a leg or-stan'da-rd is to be 1'.

secured at-an intermediate position has a vertical block or cleat secured at either its inner or its outer face, depending upon the positon-which the leg is to assume relative to said frame member. angular cross sectional shape as illustrated, but this is not critical and any other cross sectional shape found suitable or desirable may be used. Vertical kerfst lare formed in the face of member-4B to which'cleat42 is secured, spaced substantially equally from and on opposite sides 01'- said cleat. The vertical portions of the leg adjacent to the edges 22 are snugly received in said kerfs, and "the inner surface of the leg engages the cleat 42 at one or more vertical portions or surfaces thereof. The edge 2 t of the leg porjects' under the member it in supporting engagement therewith, and the parts are secured by screw 46- passing through the leg and into cleat 42 intermediate the height of the cleat. Thus this type of construction possesses the same features and advantages as described above with reference to the corner-mounted forms.

Another possible variation of the invention is to eliminate in the construction shown inFi-gures' The cleat 42- may be of substantially tri- 4 and 5, the use of the cleats l8 and 42, respec tively, so that the longitudinal edge portions of the leg which fit in the kerfs constitute the only engagement between the leg and the frame. Similarly, it is not necessary in the construction shown in Fig. 2 that the inner surface of the leg contact the corner of the frame. These constructions. may entail the need for longer screws or securing means'than are shown and also provide a two-point linear engagement rather than a three-point linear engagement, but the construction is otherwise operative and practical.

Whilethe invention has been described above as applied to furniture having a wood frame, it is also possible to utilize the invention in an allmetal construction as illustrated in Fig. 6. The construction of Fig.6 utilizes a leg structure of the sameconstruction shown in Fig. 3 applied to a sheet metal frame having angularly disposed rails 50 which are joined together at a corner portion 52 which is preferably of horizontally arcuate shape with respect. to a substantially upright axis. The corner portion 52 has an exterior radius equal to the radius of the inner surface of the tubular leg. An upright inwardly projecting channel 54, opening outwardly, is formed in each rail 50 to snugly receive one of thelongitudinal edge portions 22 of the leg when the central inner surface of the reduced or cut-away upper portion of the leg bears against the corner portion 52 of'the frame. A self-tapping screw 56, or any other suitable securing means, firmly connects or secures the leg to the frame. The edge 24 of the leg underlies and supports the .frame as in the other embodiments;

It will be understood that, if desired, the rails 50 may be joined at a square corner. Alternatively, the inner walls of the channels 54 may merge with a bent corner portion of larger eX- tent than here shown, 1. e., to provide a con tinuous transverse engagement of the leg with the frame between the edges 22 thereof. Other modifications to accommodate legs of non-circular cross section may be made as will be obvious.

I contemplate that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, an article to be supported, a hollow tubular support. having an upper end por tion cut away to provide an end surface of partial peripheral extent, an inset end surface of partial peripheral extent and spacedlongitudinal edges between said end surfaces, said article bearing upon the inset end surface of said'support and having angularly disposed surfaces each interrupted by a vertical kerf, said kerfs snugly receiving the longitudinal edge portions of said leg, and a securing member extending; transversely through said leg and anchored to said article;

2'. In combination, an article to be supported having a rigid depending portion, said depending portion having a pair of angularly disposed surfaces each interrupted by a vertical kerf, a hollow tubular support having an upper end portion of partial cross-sectional extent and stepped form defining spaced longitudinal edge portions fitting snugly in said sockets and a transverse edge portion underlying said depending portion in supporting engagement, and means for securing the upper portion of said support to said depending portion.

5 3. In an article of furniture, a top structure having a depending frame, said member having spaced parallel transverse vertical channels, a

hollow tube having an upper portion of reduced cross sectional extent defining longitudinal edges fitting snugly in said channels and a transverse shoulder bearing against the portion of said ing and bearing against said upright member,

and means securing said leg tosaid frame structure;

5. In a table, a preformed top structure including a depending frame member having spaced upright kerfs therein and a block secured to said frame member between said kerfs, a tubular metal leg having a cut-out at its upper end to provide a transverse edge of partial peripheral extent spaced below its upper end and an upwardly projecting reduced portion defined by spaced longitudinal edges, the reduced upper end portion of said leg encompassing and longitudinally engaging said block with its longitudinal edges fitting snugly in said kerfs and said transverse edge underlying and supporting said frame member, and means securing said reduced portion to said block.

6. In a table, a preformed top structure including a depending frame member having angu-' larly disposed surfaces each interrupted by an upright kerf, a leg having a reduced upper end defining a transverse shoulder spaced from its upper end and underlying and supporting said frame member, said reduced portion being partially defined by longitudinal flanges fitting snugly in said kerfs, and means securing said redu'ced portions to said frame member.

7. In a table, a preformed top structure including a depending frame defined by side and end rails abutting at their ends to define a corner, each rail having a vertical kerf therein adjacent to said corner, a tubular leg partially cut away at its upper end to provide a reduced portion defined by longitudinal edges fitting snugly in said kerfs, and means securing said reduced portion to said frame, said cut away leg portion having an inset transverse upper edge portion underlying and supporting said frame rails.

8. In a table, a preformed top structure including a depending frame defined by side and end rails abutting at their ends to define a corner, each rail having a vertical kerf in its face adjacent to said corner, a tubular leg partially cut away at its upper end to provide a reduced portion fitting around and longitudinally engaging said corner at its center, the longitudinal edges of said reduced portion fitting snugly in said kerfs and a transverse edge portion of said leg underlying and supporting said frame rails, and means securing said reduced portion to said frame.

9. In a table, a preformed top structure including a depending frame defined by side and end rails abutting at their ends to define a corner, a block mounted in said corner, each rail having an upright kerf in its inner face adjacent to said corner, a tubular leg partially cut away at its upper end to define a reduced end portion fitting around and longitudinally centrally abutting said block, the longitudinal edges of said reduced portion fitting snugly in said kerfs, said leg having a transverse edge portion underlying and supporting said frame, and means securing said reduced portion to said block.

10. In a table, a preformed top structure having depending frame members provided with spaced upright kerfs intermediate their ends, a block secured to said frame members between said kerfs, a tubular leg having a reduced upper portion defined by spaced longitudinal edges fitting snugly in said kerfs, and a transverse edge portion spaced from its upper end and underlying and supporting said frame members, said reduced portion encompassing and longitudinally abutting said block, and means securing said reduced por tion to said block.

11. In an article of furniture having a preformed top structure including a depending frame member, a block secured to said frame, a tubular metal leg cut away at its upper end to provide a reduced portion defined by longitudinal edges and a transverse edge portion spaced from the upper end of said leg and underlying and sup: porting said frame member, said reduced leg portion fitting around and engaging said block with its longitudinal edges engaging said frame member to provide three spaced linear abutments between said leg and said top structure, and means securing said reduced leg portion to said top structure.

FREDERICK B. KOMPASS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 434,229 Arnold Aug. 12, 1890 516,562 Burr Mar. 13, 1894 1,637,503 Wege Aug. 2, 1927 1,694,656 Huetten Dec. 11, 1928 1,770,722 Wright July 15, 1930 1,834,313 Kaufman Dec. 1, 1931 2,143,542 Clarin Jan. 10, 1939 2,304,481 Shannon Dec. 8, 1942 

